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Kennedy Half Dollar Values (1964-Date)

How Much Is My Kennedy Half Dollar Worth?

This
Kennedy half dollar
value guide lists average coin values
based upon the condition of the coin. If the coin
shows evidence of wear on it due to being used in commerce, it considered
"circulated."
If it was never used, then it is classified as "uncirculated."
The pictures below illustrate examples of each condition. Please note: You cannot
increase a coin's value by cleaning it. In fact, cleaned coins are worth less
and coin dealers can spot a cleaned coin immediately. Therefore, never clean your coins.

Introduction to Coin Values

There are many factors that go into
determining
the value of your coins. First of all you must understand how the coin market
works. If the coin dealer runs out of 1964 Kennedy half dollars, he cannot just call
the mint and order more of them because the mint does not make coins dated 1964 anymore.
The coin dealer must restock
his inventory by buying coins from fellow dealers or from people that come into his
store. What he pays
you for that coin is known as the "wholesale
price" or "value." If you want to buy that
1964 Kennedy half
from the coin dealer, that is known as the "retail price" or "price."

Market Analysis

Kennedy half dollars are quite common and can still be obtained from some
banks. Circulated coins minted from 1964 to 1970 derive most of their value from
their silver content. From 1965 to 1970 the silver content was reduced from 90%
(in 1964 dated coins) to 40%. Beginning with the 1971 issue, all Kennedy
half dollars made for circulation contain a mixture of copper and nickel and
contain no silver.

Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties

While there are some
Kennedy half minor varieties , there are no issues that are
exceedingly rare or expensive. The mint made special collector coins from 1965
to 1967, and again beginning in 1992 and are quite affordable for any
collector's budget. In 1976 (coins dated 1776-1976), the mint issued a
special circulating commemorative coin for the bicentennial of the United
States. These were made by the billions and carry no premium value.

Condition or Grade Examples

Circulated

Uncirculated

Click on the photos above for a larger image.Photos courtesy of Teletrade Coin Auctions, www.teletrade.com

Mint Marks

Kennedy half dollars were produced at three different mints: Philadelphia
(no mint mark or P), Denver (D) and San Francisco (S). As illustrated in the pictures below,
the mint mark
is located on the reverse of the 1964 coin located on the left-hand side just
below the eagle's claw. From 1968 until today, the mint mark is located on
the obverse of the coin just below the point of Kennedy's bust and above the
date. From 1965 to 1967 all U.S. coins did not carry a mint mark.

Kennedy Half Dollar Value

The following chart lists the value (what you can expect a dealer to pay you) for your
Kennedy half dollar. The first column lists the date and
mint mark
(see the photo above) followed by the value of an
average circulated ("Avg Circ") coin and the average value for an uncirculated
("Avg Unc") one. These
are approximate values and the actual offer that you will receive from a
particular dealer will vary depending on the actual grade of the coin and a number of
other factors. For issues containing silver, some pricing is based upon the spot
price of silver which is approximately $32 per Troy ounce as of this writing.

These values have been compiled through my personal analysis of the coin market, referencing publications such as Numismatic News,
Coin World, "The Official Blue Book; Handbook of U.S. Coins," The Coin Dealer Newsletter,
published auction results and consulting with various coin dealers.

Read How to Preserve and Protect Your Coins

Disclaimer: The information on this site and all subsequent communications
are provided for discussion purposes only, and should not be misconstrued as investment
advice. All information, including valuations, on this website has been compiled from
reliable sources and every effort has been made to eliminate errors and questionable
data. However, the possibility of an error in a work of this magnitude always exists.
Additionally, further analysis, research and/or discoveries may challenge the beliefs
presented in this article. The author and About.com will not be responsible for any
losses that may occur in the purchase, sale, or other transaction of coins and other
items because of the information that is contained on this website. Visitors who feel
they may have discovered an error or inconsistency are asked to please contact the
guide so that the situation may be investigated and/or corrected. Under no
circumstances does this information contained on this website represent a
recommendation to buy or sell coins, precious metals, exonumia or paper
currency.